Jan 31, 2026
3 min read
CBS Sports' college basketball experts have picks for all of Saturday's big games with the top 25 teams in action
College basketball picks, schedule: predictions, Kansas vs. BYU odds, top 25 games Saturday
CBS Sports' college basketball experts have selected all of Saturday's best games featuring the top 25 teams in action.
Fifteen teams ranked in the latest AP Top 25 Poll will face off on Saturday in a packed college basketball tournament.There will be a little bit of everything this weekend, including a promising matchup for the ages, John Calipari taking on his old team, and Gonzaga and Saint Mary's facing off for the final time as conference opponents.
The fun begins in Blacksburg, Virginia when Virginia Tech hosts No. 4 Duke. The Blue Devils entered the weekend atop the ACC standings with a perfect 8-0 record, while Virginia Tech is 5-4 against conference opponents.
No. 14 Kansas will host No. 13 BYU in a matchup of two of the best prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft. Kansas' Darryn Peterson and BYU' AJ Dybantsa are expected to come off the board with the first two picks in this summer's draft.This will be the most anticipated matchup college basketball fans have seen in quite some time.
One of the most anticipated games of the season will be held later on the 15th at Bud Walton Arena.Arkansas hosts Kentucky.Calipari will face his old team for the second time since leaving Kentucky in the 2024 season. Arkansas won the only game between SEC foes at Rupp Arena last season.
The game between Saint Mary's and Gonzaga has become a televised fixture of the past decade as one of the best rivalries on the west coast.However, this will be one of the last times the programs face a conference opponent before Gonzaga joins the revamped Pac-12 later this summer.
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook |Always below first
No.4 Duke at Virginia Tech
Midday on ESPN, fuboTV (try it free): Since losing to Texas Tech last month, Duke has been on a roll.The Blue Devils have won eight straight games, the last six by at least 10 points.This will be the first time Duke has played on the road since a trip to the West Coast earlier this month against Stanford and Cal. I expect Duke to get another double-digit win.Pick: Duke -11 - Cameron Salerno
San Diego State in Utah State
1 p.m. on CBS, CBS Sports App, Paramount+ Premium: Utah State will add a lot of original matchup zone that could be a headache for Mountain West foes to figure out in the first round.Utah State won both matchups last year, but San Diego State shot just 28% from the field against Utah State's zone in the first matchup, compared to 45% in the second matchup, according to Synergy.That's a noticeable difference that could rear its ugly head again.San Diego State also lost two starters, as freshman guard Elzie Harrington (leg) and big shot blocker Magoon Gwath (hip) were ruled out.The Aztecs have tremendous depth, but are inconsistent from 3-point range.If Utah State's zone can convince SDSU to shoot a few more 3-pointers than usual and the Aggies hold the glass, Utah State will be in good shape.Pick: Utah State -6 - Isaac Trotter
No. 13 BYU, No. 14 Kansas
4:30 p.m. ESPN, Fubo TV (try for free): This could be a game college basketball/NBA fans look back on and remember years from now.BYU is 1-3 against ranked opponents, with Arizona and UConn—the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in the nation—coming in by a combined five points.-4 - Salerno
Kentucky at No. 15 Arkansas
6:30 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try it for free): Last season, it was Arkansas that upset Kentucky as the road favorite.This time, it looks like the script may be flipped.Kentucky is struggling and the Wildcats are coming off a bad loss to Vanderbilt.Calipari's Razorbacks have a chance to turn the season around.Kentucky keeps it tight and covers the spread.Pick: Kentucky +6.5 -- Salerno
Saint Mary's paNo. 6 Gonzaga
10:30 p.m.on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free): Gonzaga was able to run away with a two-point win over San Francisco last week.Otherwise, the Zags dominated.Since the loss to Michigan, Gonzaga has won its last 11 games.Eight of those wins were by at least 10 points.Although this rivalry always creates chaos every time these teams play, I expect Gonzaga to win this game by at least 10.Pick: Gonzaga -10 - Salerno
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